Education
1980–1983
Studies of law and economy at the Johannes-Kepler-University Linz, AT
1983–1986
Continues studies of law and visits art history and performance studies lectures at the University of Vienna, AT
Graduated as “Magistra juris” in 1985 and as “Doctor juris” in 1986.
Professional Employment and Experience
Currently
Independent scholar, curator and consultant
2013–2018
Director and CEO, Museum der Moderne Salzburg–Rupertinum, Salzburg, AT
2014–2018
Artistic Director, Generali Foundation, Vienna, AT
2010–2013
Chief Curator of Media and Performance Art, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, US
2007–2010
Secretary and Treasurer of CIMAM–The International Committee for Museums of Modern Art of ICOM, the International Council of Museums
Independent curator, author, lecturer, and consultant for various museums and institutions
2009–2010
Curator of the exhibitions of the Styrian Autumn Festival for the Arts, Graz, AT
2007–2009
Guest-Curator, Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), Barcelona, ES
2007–2008
“Moderator” of the “Museum Policy Initiative” by the Austrian Ministry of Education, Art and Culture (with Dieter Bogner and Martin Fritz)
2003–2008
University Supervisory Board member, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, AT
2003–2004
Co-Curator/Researcher International 04. Liverpool Biennial 2004, Liverpool, UK
1988–1991–2007
Artistic and Managing Director (Founding Director), Member of the Managing Board
Since 1988 Curator, Generali Foundation, Vienna, AT
1987–1990
Curator and Coordinator, REM, Vienna, AT
1986–1987
Assistant for exhibitions, workshops and theatre performances by Ruben Fraga and Jorge Bernardi, Dramatisches Zentrum, Vienna, AT
Trainee on various courts in Vienna, AT
Awards and Scholarships
2020/2021/2022
Getty Scholar at the Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles, US
2012
Yoko Ono Lennon Courage Award for the Arts, New York, US
Teaching (Selection)
2012
Regents’ Lecturer, University of California Berkeley, CA, US
2008/2009
Lecturer, Faculty of the History of Art, Karl-Franzens-University, Graz, AT
2000/2001
Lecturer, Faculty of Architecture, University for Applied Art, Vienna, AT
Since 1990s
Various short-term lecturing, workshops and seminars at the New York University, Performance Studies, and Museum Studies, New York, US; The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Kopenhagen, DK; Academy of Fine Arts, Düsseldorf, DE; Städelschule, Frankfurt am Main, DE, and many other universities and academies.
Further Professional Activities (Selection)
Since 2025
Member of the Advisory Board of the museum in progress mip
Since 2022
Member of the Authentification Board of the Franz West Archive.
Honorary member since 1999
Since 2012
Nominating Committee. The Audrey Irmas Award for Curatorial Excellence, New York, US
Since 2010
Corresponding Member of the Secession, Association of Artists, Vienna, AT
Since 2009
Nominator. 2010 Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy–Arts, Kyoto, JP
Member of AICA – Association Internationale des Critiques d’Art
Since 2003
Member of CIMAM–The International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art of ICOM (International Council of Museums)
2004–2010 Board member
Since 1989
Member of IKT–International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art
Various jury and committee duties such as
Mentor. Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (2023); Competition for the Finnish Pavilion exhibition at the 58th Biennale di Venezia (2019); Cathrin Pichler Award, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna; Böttcher-Street Award, Kunsthalle Bremen, DE; Awards of the 56th International Art Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia (2015); Kunstpreis Aachen, Ludwig Forum Aachen, DE; Outset Frieze Art Fair Acquisition Funds, Tate, London, UK; 6th Austrian Friedrich Kiesler Award for Architecture and Art, Vienna, AT; Otto Mauer Award, Vienna, AT; ARCO Foundation Collection, Madrid, ES; 6th Benesse Award, Naoshima, JP, 51st Biennale di Venezia, IT; Spectrum, International Photography Award of the Stiftung Niedersachsen, Hannover, DE; DAAD Stipendium, Berlin, DE.